SRINAGAR, MAY 11: Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha addressed Y20
Consultation on ‘Climate Change & Disaster Risk Reduction: Making
Sustainability a Way of Life’ at University of Kashmir, today.
He said the massive participation in this Y20 Consultation Conference
signals the encouraging prospect of a new energy in a global partnership on
environment, development and our collective effort to ensure equity, global
prosperity and better quality of life for all.
The Lt Governor while welcoming the national and international delegates
said, Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji has made it clear to the
global family that climate change cannot be fought from conference tables
alone. It has to be fought from the dinner tables in every home.
“Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji has called upon the global community to
transform the effort of tackling climate challenge into a mass movement and
promote an environmentally conscious lifestyle. I firmly believe under the
leadership of Hon’ble PM, India will guide the world in building a
sustainable society that will both be an economic powerhouse and a major
contributor in restoring the delicate balance of Nature,” the Lt Governor
said.
By adopting ‘Green Growth’ as one of the seven key priorities (Saptarshi),
the Hon’ble Prime Minister has shown the world that India stands firm on
its resolve to achieve the goal of Zero Carbon Emission by 2070, he
added.
At the Y20 Consultation, the Lt Governor called upon youth to ensure ideas
to create productive harmony between nature and human are translated into
action and it contributes to a better world.
“Youth will lead the world in offering pragmatic solutions to climate &
global challenges of 21st century. I believe the young generation will
synergise innovative ideas and actions to preserve natural resources and
also become stakeholders in policymaking for sustainable development,” the
Lt Governor said.
The Lt Governor in his address also talked about the vision of India’s G20
Presidency and collective responsibility of the global community to nurture
the nature for benefit of humanity.
“Vision of India’s G20 Presidency focuses on our shared responsibility to
tackle two great challenges- Protect climate & promote sustainable
development. As one family, we need to nurture earth that sustains life and
commit for inclusive development to transform lives of common man,” the Lt
Governor.
The Lt Governor also highlighted the values and principles as enshrined in
the ancient Indian scriptures on sustainable living and environment
protection.
“The sustainable living is Indian way of life. Long before the global
community realized the importance of sustainable living our forefathers
dedicated Prithvi
Sukta, in Atharv Veda to mother earth highlighting its
resources and urging the people to utilize them in a sustainable manner.
Thousands years before the term Sustainable Life Style was popularized
across the globe, Yajurveda mentioned about harmonious living with earth,
water, trees and to prioritize the use of natural resources,” the Lt
Governor said.
The Lt Governor emphasised that the vision of our forefathers was not
merely ideas confined to the books but were focussed on action from the
community as every ancient Indian scripture calls for selfless act.
We must adopt a balanced & holistic approach between development and nature
to manage the challenges of accelerated growth and ecological
sustainability. Our rights on natural resources are not absolute, it is
temporary. This thinking should become part of our daily habit to ensure
prosperous earth for our future generations, he further added.
The Lt Governor also reiterated the UT Government’s commitment to support
sustainable development and lead the action against climate change.
Sh Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to Lt Governor, in his address, called
upon the Youth and other stakeholders to join the efforts in achieving the
Sustainable Development Goals.
Prof Nilofer Khan, Vice Chancellor, University of Kashmir; Sh Pankaj Kumar
Singh, Director, Department of Youth Affairs, GoI; Prof Manzoor Shah, Y20
Chair, Kashmir University; Sh Guru Prakash Paswan, Senior Faculty, Patna
University and Sh Akash Jha, Secretary Programs & Logistics, Y20 India also
spoke on the occasion and impressed upon the youth to raise awareness &
exchange ideas on the most pressing global issues.
On the occasion, the Lt Governor inaugurated Y20 Exhibition and released
the Y-20 Chronicle of the University about the run-up activities to the
event.
Y20 and U20 integration, a joint initiative by the respective engagement
groups for Jan Bhagidari was also launched.
Delegates & panelists from various Countries and across India, prominent citizens, senior officials, youth